I will play Terry! Capello vows to pick race row skipper against Sweden... but not Spain

Fabio Capello is determined to see John Terry lead out his country against Sweden despite insisting the England captain will play no part against Spain on Saturday.

Terry was named in England's 25-man squad last night even though he is the subject of a police investigation and an FA inquiry into an allegation that he racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road last month.

Terry denies the claim and Capello believes he should be considered innocent until proven guilty - and while the manager insists he is leaving his captain out of the Spain game because he wants to examine other options, it does buy the FA time.

The plan is to name Frank Lampard as skipper - or Gareth Barry if Capello decides Lampard will not start - and bring Terry back against Sweden next Tuesday unless there is a development in either the police or FA investigation that makes it more difficult for the Italian to do so.

'I picked John Terry, then Rio Ferdinand, then Steven Gerrard, the fourth was Frank Lampard,' said Capello in pointing to the Chelsea midfielder as his captain before suggesting Phil Jones and Jack Wilshere could one day lead England.

But in an interview with FATV he said Terry would be rested for Spain, insisting the decision was based purely on football reasons despite holding talks on Friday with the defender as well as FA chairman David Bernstein, managing director of Club England Adrian Bevington, general secretary Alex Horne and director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking.

Oh brother: Rio Ferdinand (left) has not been picked for the England squad

That said, Sportsmail understands the decision on Terry was ultimately left to Capello.

'Terry will not play against Spain because I want to check some players against the best team in the world,' said the manager. 'But it is really, really important that he stays with us.'

Capello feels he can justify Terry's selection by pointing to the fact that he picked Gerrard after he had been charged with assault and affray following a restaurant brawl in December 2008.

Gerrard's ABH charge was dropped before trial and he was cleared by a jury of affray the following July. In that period Gerrard made three appearances for his country.

Honour: Frank Lampard (centre) is set to lead England against Spain

QPR defender Ferdinand has since received a death threat, it has been reported.

Police were called in after a letter addressed to the 26-year-old was delivered by hand at Loftus Road.

Its contents are said to have been extremely graphic, and it was not shown to Ferdinand.

Reward: Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell (centre) has been called up

Capello called up Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell and Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge for the first time, while there was a recall for Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Wayne Rooney has been rested but there is no place for Andy Carroll or in-form Manchester City defender Micah Richards.

Richards responded by tweeting: 'Well well well!!!! Disappointed is an understatement!!!'

First call-up: Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge (centre) is in the squad